Gender Disparities in the Mental Health of Gay and Lesbian Adults in Later Life: the Role of Internalized Homophobia and Age Discrimination

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Abstract Introduction Gender disparities in mental health among older adults from sexual minorities remain underexplored. This study investigates how stigma related to age and sexual orientation, both enacted by others and internalized, is associated with mental health outcomes among lesbian and gay adults aged 50 and older. Methods The study examined 411 adults aged 50 + (range 50–85) from Israel who self-identify as lesbian women or gay men, via online questionnaires. Participants answered questions about their experiences of ageism and sexual minority-related stigma, both internalized and enacted, and about their mental health (depressive symptoms, anxiety, loneliness, and life satisfaction). Mediation analyses examined the role of stigma based on age and on sexual orientation in the association between gender and mental health. Results Lesbian women reported better mental health compared to gay men. The gender difference in mental health was partially explained by gendered experiences of enacted ageism and internalized homophobia. Women experienced less enacted ageism and reported lower internalized homophobia, and these were related to better mental health in terms of lower depressive symptoms, lower anxiety, less loneliness, and higher life satisfaction. Conclusions The greater mental health challenges faced by gay men in later life may stem, in part, from higher exposure to age-based discrimination and greater internalization of negative societal attitudes toward their sexual orientation, potentially reflecting the cumulative impact of lifelong stigma. Policy Implications These findings underscore the need for better policies and interventions aimed at distinct needs and experiences of aging men and women from sexual minorities.

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